CN102022673B - Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A backlight unit that is easy to slim and simplify the configuration is disclosed. The backlight unit includes: a lower case with an opened upper surface; at least one light source unit disposed at an inner side surface of the lower case; and a modularized optical unit disposed parallel to the light source unit and configured to include a light guide plate and optical sheets which are accommodated into a reflection sheet.

Description

Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device with the backlight unit

technical field

The present disclosure relates to a backlight unit, and more particularly, to a backlight unit that is easier to make thinner and simpler in configuration, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having the same.

Background technique

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-89544 and No. 10-2010-16361 filed on September 22, 2009 and February 23, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference .

A cathode ray tube (CRT) corresponds to a widely used type of display device. CRTs are mainly used as monitors for TVs, measuring equipment, information terminals, and the like. However, the CRT is heavy and large in size, which are major obstacles for its use in manufacturing small and light electronic products.

To solve this problem, LCD devices are gradually being used in a wide range of applications due to their advantages such as light weight, thin thickness, and low power consumption. In addition, LCD devices have been manufactured to have even larger screens, be thinner, and consume less power to meet users' needs.

LCD devices display images by controlling the amount of light transmitted through liquid crystals. However, unlike CRTs, LCD devices are not self-emitting display devices. Thus, the LCD device includes a backlight unit configured to have a separate light source that provides light necessary to display an image and disposed on the rear surface of the LCD panel. The backlight unit is classified into an edge type or a direct type according to a position of a light source of the backlight unit.

The LCD panel is used to display images. To this end, the LCD panel includes a thin film transistor substrate and a color filter substrate, which are disposed to face each other and bonded to each other through a sealing pattern. In addition, the LCD panel also includes a liquid crystal material that is injected between the thin film transistor substrate and the color filter substrate after combining the two substrates.

The edge type backlight unit includes a light source disposed at a position corresponding to a side of the LCD panel. In addition, the edge type backlight unit irradiates light emitted from a light source onto the entire surface of the LCD panel using a light guide plate. Thus, the edge type backlight unit is easily made thinner. Therefore, the edge type backlight is mainly used in middle-sized and small-sized LCD devices.

On the other hand, the direct type backlight unit includes a plurality of light sources arranged at a fixed distance under the LCD panel. A plurality of light sources directly apply light to the rear surface of the LCD panel. Compared with the edge type backlight unit, the direct type backlight unit can provide higher brightness and a wider light emitting surface because it uses multiple light sources. Therefore, the direct type backlight unit is mainly used for a large-sized LCD device.

An LCD device having an edge type backlight unit is capable of passing light output from a light source disposed at a side region through a light guide plate. At this time, the light from the light source is converted into two-dimensional light by the light guide plate. The LCD panel displays images using two-dimensional light output from the light guide plate.

Such an LCD device includes an LCD module in which an LCD panel is disposed on a backlight unit. The LCD module is assembled by combining the LCD panel with the backlight unit by bonding the top case and the bottom cover of the backlight unit. The top case is formed to surround upper surface edges of the LCD panel.

The assembled LCD module is disposed in a cavity between upper and lower system cases surrounding the top case and the bottom case, respectively. In addition, a system driver configured to drive the LCD module is installed in the lower system case, thereby obtaining a complete LCD device.

In this way, a general LCD device is constructed in a complicated manner. Thus, the assembly time of a general LCD device becomes long. Therefore, it is difficult to minimize the manufacturing time of the LCD device. In addition, a general LCD device has a complicated configuration, so that it is difficult to achieve slimness while reducing the overall weight.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a backlight unit and an LCD device having the same, which substantially overcome one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a backlight unit that is easier to thin and simplify configuration and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having the same.

Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the invention. The advantages of the embodiments of the invention may be realized and attained by the written description and claims hereof as well as the structure particularly pointed out in the appended drawings.

According to a general aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a backlight unit includes: a lower case having an open upper surface; at least one light source unit disposed on an inner side surface of the lower case; and a modular optical unit , which is arranged parallel to the light source unit, and is configured to include a light guide plate and an optical sheet accommodated in a reflective sheet.

An LCD device according to a general aspect of embodiments of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal display panel; an upper case provided on the liquid crystal display panel and configured to surround edges of the liquid crystal display panel; a first a guide member and a second guide member provided at each of two opposite corners adjacent to the side surface of the liquid crystal display panel, the first guide member and the second guide member being connected to the The upper case is combined and configured to support the liquid crystal display panel; the optical unit is arranged under the liquid crystal display panel; the light source unit is arranged on the side surface of the optical unit; the lower case, It is configured to surround the optical unit and the light source unit; and a third guide member and a fourth guide member disposed at two opposite corners adjacent to another pair of opposite side surfaces of the liquid crystal display panel At each corner of the portion, the third guide member and the fourth guide member are combined with the upper case and configured to support the optical unit.

An LCD device according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal display panel; a first upper case and a second upper case provided on the liquid crystal display panel and configured to surround the liquid crystal display panel. Two opposite edge portions of the panel; a first guide member and a second guide member configured to support the two opposite edge portions of the liquid crystal display panel and combined with corresponding first and second upper cases; a backlight a unit disposed under the liquid crystal display panel; and a lower case configured to house the backlight unit.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. Nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. In connection with this embodiment, other aspects and advantages are discussed below. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the invention. public. In the attached picture:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an LCD device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the optical unit shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a cross-sectional view showing the LCD device taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an LCD device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These embodiments described hereinafter are provided as examples to convey their spirits to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, these embodiments may be implemented in different forms, and thus are not limited to these embodiments described herein. In addition, the size and thickness of the device may be exaggeratedly expressed for convenience in explaining the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers refer to the same or like parts throughout the present disclosure including the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an LCD device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the optical unit shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the LCD device taken along line II' of FIG. 1 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , an LCD device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an LCD panel 110 configured to display images and a backlight unit 130 disposed under the LCD panel 110 and configured to provide Light. The LCD device also includes an upper case 100 and a lower case 170 configured to accommodate the LCD panel 110 and the backlight unit 130 .

Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the LCD panel 110 includes: a thin film transistor substrate and a color filter substrate, which are arranged to face each other and combined to maintain a uniform cell gap therebetween; and a liquid crystal layer, which is sandwiched between thin film Between the transistor substrate and the color filter substrate. In addition, polarizing plates not shown in the drawings are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the LCD panel 110 .

The thin film transistor substrate includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines formed to cross each other. In addition, the thin film transistor substrate further includes a plurality of thin film transistors formed at intersections of the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines.

The color filter substrate includes: red, green, and blue color filters opposite to the pixels; a black matrix at the edge of each color filter; and a common electrode formed to cover all the color filters and the black matrix. The black matrix shields gate lines, data lines and thin film transistors. This color filter substrate is combined with a thin film transistor substrate through a sealing pattern.

The LCD device further includes a panel driver PCB (Printed Circuit Board) not shown in the drawings. The panel driver PCB is disposed on the edge of the LCD panel 110 . The panel driver PCB applies not only scan signals to the gate lines but also data signals to the data lines.

The backlight unit 130 disposed on the rear surface of the LCD panel 110 includes a light source unit 150 disposed on an inner side surface of the lower case 170 and configured to emit light. In addition, the backlight unit 130 includes an optical unit 140 disposed close to the light source unit 150 .

The light source unit 150 includes a metal PCB 151 configured to come into surface contact with an inner side surface of the lower case 170. The light source unit 150 also includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 153 arranged at regular intervals on the inner side surface of the metal PCB 151.

The metal PCB 151 is in surface contact with the inner side surface of the lower case 170 and the edge of the bottom surface adjacent thereto. For this, the metal PCB 151 forms a curved structure. In addition, the metal PCB 151 is fastened to the inner surface of the lower case 170 by a fixing member such as a screw.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a plurality of LEDs 153 are used as light sources. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of LEDs 153 could be replaced by lamps.

The optical unit 140 includes: a light guide plate 143 configured to convert incident point light from a plurality of LEDs 153 into two-dimensional light; and an optical sheet 141 disposed on the light guide plate 143 and configured to scatter and converge light from The light output from the light guide plate 143 . The optical unit 140 also includes a reflective sheet 160 configured to accommodate the light guide plate 143 and the optical sheet 141 and reduce light loss.

The light guide plate 143 is formed of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Although not shown in the drawings, the light guide plate 143 may be formed in a wedge shape that becomes thinner as the distance from the incident surface on which the LED 153 is disposed is greater. The light guide plate 143 may include a prism pattern formed on a rear surface thereof. The prism pattern serves to refract incident light toward the optical sheet 141 .

The optical sheet 141 includes a diffusion sheet, a light collection sheet and a protection sheet. The diffuser diffuses light. Spotlights are used to focus light. The protective sheet is used to protect the condenser sheet.

The reflective sheet 160 includes: a bottom surface 161 for supporting the light guide plate 143 ; and first to fourth side surfaces 163 , 165 , 167 and 169 configured to cover side surfaces of the light guide plate 143 and the optical sheet 141 . The first side surface 163 and the second side surface 165 are opposed to each other, and are formed to cover opposite edges of the upper surface of the optical sheet 141 . In addition, the first side surface 163 opposite to the light source unit 150 has a light transmission hole 162 formed in a region corresponding to the plurality of LEDs 153. In other words, on the first side surface 163, a plurality of light-transmitting holes 162 facing the plurality of LEDs 153 are formed at regular intervals.

Such an optical unit 140 becomes into a stand-alone module. Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the first to fourth side surfaces 163, 165, 167 and 169 of the reflective sheet 160 may be fastened to each other by adhesive tapes or other means.

In addition, the LCD device of the present embodiment includes: a first guide member 121 and a second guide member 123 configured to support the LCD panel 110 and fix the LCD panel 110 to the upper case 100; Four guide members 127 configured to support the optical unit 140 and fix the optical unit 140 to the upper case 100 .

The first guide member 121 and the second guide member 123 are disposed under one side of the LCD panel 110 . More specifically, the first guide member 121 and the second guide member 123 are disposed on regions corresponding to opposite lower corners of the LCD panel 110 adjacent to the same edge. The first guide member 121 and the second guide member 123 are formed in a single-step structure adapted to support a lower corner of the LCD panel 110 .

The LCD panel 110 included in the embodiment of the present disclosure is surrounded by the upper case 100 and supported by the first guide member 121 and the second guide member 123 . In this case, the first guide member 121 and the second guide member 123 are fixed to the upper case 100 by screws. Thus, the LCD panel 110 is firmly fastened to the upper case 100 .

The third guide member 125 and the fourth guide member 127 are disposed under one side of the optical unit 140 corresponding to the other opposite side of the LCD panel 110 . In this case, the light source unit 150 is disposed on a side surface of the optical unit opposite to the portion. The third guide member 125 and the fourth guide member 127 are fixed to the upper case 100 by screws to support opposite lower corners of the optical unit 140 adjacent to the same edge. Since the third guide member 125 and the fourth guide member 127 are fixed to the upper case 100 by screws, the optical unit 140 may be securely fastened to the upper case 100 . In addition, the third guide member 125 and the fourth guide member 127 are formed in a single-step structure adapted to support a lower corner of the optical unit 140 . Such a third guide member 125 and a fourth guide member 127 are arranged symmetrically with the first guide member 121 and the second guide member 123 .

The upper case 100 and the lower case 170 are combined with each other. In this case, one of the upper case 100 and the lower case 170 may be firmly fastened to the other by means such as screwing.

In this way, the LCD device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure fastens the LCD panel 110 and the optical unit 140 to the upper case 100 using the first to fourth guide members 121 , 123 , 125 and 127 . Thus, the LCD device may have a more simplified configuration than a general LCD device including a main frame for accommodating the backlight unit and a panel guide for supporting the LCD panel. In addition, the LCD device according to the present disclosure can reduce the overall weight and be easily made slim because the main bracket and the panel guide are eliminated.

In addition, the LCD device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure enables the optical unit 140 of the backlight unit 130 to have a modular structure. Thus, the LCD device according to the present disclosure can provide improved assembling efficiency and shortened assembling efficiency compared to a general LCD device including a structure for fixing the optical sheet and the light guide plate and for combining the side portion of the light guide plate with the main bracket. Assembly time.

In other words, the LCD device according to the present disclosure has a structure including only an upper case disposed directly on the LCD panel and a lower case disposed under the LCD panel. Thus, the LCD device of the present disclosure is assembled into a final product by combining the upper case and the lower case. Therefore, the LCD device of the present disclosure can provide advantages such as simplified configuration, reduced Manufacturing cost, lighter weight and thinner thickness. This is due to the fact that the top case and bottom cover are removed from the LCD device of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an LCD device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of the LCD device of FIG. 4 is the same as that of the LCD of the first embodiment described above, except that the first and second upper cases 201 and 203, the first and second light-shielding strips 281 and 283, the first and second The guide members 221 and 223 and the lower case 270 . Therefore, a description of one embodiment to be repeated in another embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted. In addition, an LCD device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will refer to the same elements as those of the first embodiment with the same reference numerals.

An LCD device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes first and second upper cases 201 and 203 configured to surround two opposite edge portions of the LCD panel 100 . In addition, the LCD device includes first and second guide members 221 and 223 configured to support two opposite edge portions of the LCD panel 110 .

The first upper case 201 includes a first wing portion 201 a and a second wing portion 201 b configured to protrude from both ends toward the second upper case 203 . The first wing portion 201 a and the second wing portion 201 b are bent perpendicular to the length direction of the first upper case 201 so as to surround the other two opposite edge portions of the LCD panel 110 . Such first wing portion 201 a and second wing portion 201 b extend from both ends of the first upper case 201 to ensure the strength of the first upper case 201 .

The second upper case 203 includes a third wing 203 a and a fourth wing 203 b configured to protrude toward the first upper case 201 from both ends. The third wing portion 203 a and the fourth wing portion 203 b are bent perpendicular to the length direction of the second upper case 203 so as to surround the other two opposite edge portions of the LCD panel 110 . Such third wing portion 203 a and fourth wing portion 203 b extend from both ends of the second upper case 203 to ensure the strength of the second upper case 203 .

The first guide member 221 and the second guide member 223 serve to support two opposite sides of the LCD device 110 . Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the first guide member 221 and the second guide member 223 can be combined with the first upper case 201 and the second upper case 203 by one of hooks and screws, respectively. .

The first guide member 221 includes a first guide wing 221 a and a second guide wing 221 b configured to protrude from both ends toward the second guide member 223 . The first guide wing 221 a and the second guide wing 221 b are bent perpendicular to the length direction of the first guide member 221 to support the other two opposite edge portions of the LCD panel 110 . Such a first guide wing 221 a and a second guide wing 221 b extend from both ends of the first guide member 221 for securing the strength of the first guide member 221 .

The second guide member 223 includes a third guide wing 223 a and a fourth guide wing 223 b configured to protrude toward the first guide member 221 from both ends thereof. The third guide wing 223 a and the fourth guide wing 223 b are bent perpendicular to the length direction of the second guide member 223 to support the other two opposite edge portions of the LCD panel 110 . Such third guide wings 223 a and fourth guide wings 223 b extend from both ends of the second guide member 223 for securing the strength of the second guide member 223 .

The LCD device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a lower case 270 configured with a first side wall 270a and a second side wall 270b facing each other and a third side wall 270c and a fourth side wall facing each other. Sidewall 270d. Top edges of the third sidewall 270c and the fourth sidewall 270d are bent along an inward direction of the lower case 270 . The third sidewall 270c and the fourth sidewall 270d having curved top edges enable more secure fastening of the backlight unit 130 .

In addition, the LCD device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first light shielding strip 281 and a second light shielding strip 283 configured to be opposed to the third sidewall 270c and the fourth sidewall 270d of the lower case 270 . The first light-shielding strip 281 and the second light-shielding strip 283 are used to prevent the other two parts of the LCD panel 110 from being covered by the first upper case 201 and the second upper case 203 and not supported by the first guide member 221 and the second guide member 223. light leakage in the opposite edge portions. For this, the first light-shielding tape 281 and the second light-shielding tape 283 are attached to the other two opposite side surfaces of the LCD panel 110 , the edge of the upper surface adjacent thereto, and the third side wall 270 c and the fourth side of the lower case 270 . The inner surface of the wall 270d.

In this way, the LCD device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure enables the LCD panel 110 to be not only protected by the first upper case 201 and the second upper case 203 but also supported by the first guide member 221 and the second guide member 223 . Therefore, it is possible to more easily make the LCD device of another embodiment slim and reduce the overall weight as compared with a general LCD device.

More specifically, the LCD device of another embodiment has a structure including a first upper case 201 and a second upper case 203 disposed directly on the LCD panel and a lower case configured to accommodate components of the backlight unit 130. . Thus, the LCD device of another embodiment is assembled into a final product by combining the first upper case 201 and the second upper case 203 with the lower case 270 . Therefore, compared with a general LCD device having a separate top case interposed between the first upper case 201 and the second upper case 203 and the LCD panel 110 and a separate bottom cover provided on the lower case, another embodiment of The LCD device may provide advantages such as simplified configuration, reduced manufacturing cost, lighter weight, and thinner thickness. This is due to the fact that the top case and the bottom cover are removed from the LCD device of another embodiment.

Although the present disclosure has been described only for the above-mentioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes or modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. . Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (14)

1. a back light unit, this back light unit comprises:

Lower casing, it has open upper surface;

At least one light source cell, it is arranged on the inner surface of described lower casing; And

Modular optical block learn, it is configured to be parallel to described light source cell, and is configured to comprise the light guide plate and the optical sheet that are contained in reflector plate,

The described reflector plate of wherein said optical unit comprises:

Basal surface, it is configured to support described light guide plate;

The first side surface and the second side surface, it is configured to cover the opposite flank of described light guide plate and the relative top surface edge of described optical sheet; And

The 3rd side surface and the 4th side surface, its be configured to cover described light guide plate another to opposite flank and optical sheet,

Wherein said light source cell is included in multiple light emitting diodes of arranging with fixed intervals on operplate printing circuit board,

Wherein said the first side surface is configured to relative with described light source cell and comprises multiple light holes, and described multiple light holes are formed in the region corresponding to described multiple light emitting diodes.

2. comprise a liquid crystal display for back light unit as claimed in claim 1, this liquid crystal display comprises:

Display panels, thereunder arranges described back light unit;

Upper casing, it is arranged on described display panels, and is configured to surround the edge of described display panels;

The first guiding elements and the second guiding elements, it is arranged on each the bight place in two relative bights adjacent with the side surface of described display panels, described the first guiding elements and the second guiding elements and the combination of described upper casing, and be configured to support described display panels; And

The 3rd guiding elements and the 4th guiding elements, it is arranged on another of described display panels each the bight place in two adjacent relative bights of opposite flank, described the 3rd guiding elements and the 4th guiding elements and the combination of described upper casing, and be configured to support described optical unit.

3. liquid crystal display according to claim 2, wherein said light source cell is included in multiple light emitting diodes of arranging with fixed intervals on operplate printing circuit board.

4. liquid crystal display according to claim 3, wherein said the first side surface is configured to relative with described light source cell and comprises multiple light holes, and described multiple light holes are formed in the region corresponding to described multiple light emitting diodes.

5. liquid crystal display according to claim 2, wherein said the first guiding elements and described the second guiding elements are formed the separate unit stage structure that is suitable for the lower corner that supports described display panels.

6. liquid crystal display according to claim 2, wherein said the 3rd guiding elements and described the 4th guiding elements are formed and are suitable for supporting another separate unit stage structure to the corresponding lower corner in opposite side bight described optical unit and described display panels.

7. liquid crystal display according to claim 2, wherein said the first guiding elements and described the second guiding elements and described the 3rd guiding elements and described the 4th guiding elements are arranged symmetrically.

8. liquid crystal display according to claim 2, wherein, by comprising the fixed component of screw, is anchored on described upper casing by described first to fourth guiding elements.

9. comprise a liquid crystal display for back light unit as claimed in claim 1, this liquid crystal display comprises:

Display panels, thereunder arranges described back light unit;

The first upper casing and the second upper casing, it is arranged on described display panels, and is configured to surround two opposite edges parts of described display panels; And

The first guiding elements and the second guiding elements, it is configured to support two opposite edges parts of described display panels and combine with corresponding the first upper casing and the second upper casing.

10. liquid crystal display according to claim 9, wherein said the first upper casing comprises the first wing and the second wing, described the first wing and described the second wing are formed two ends towards described the second upper casing bending, and be configured to surround another two opposite edges parts of described display panels, and wherein said the second upper casing comprises the 3rd wing and the 4th wing, described the 3rd wing and described the 4th wing are formed two ends towards described the first upper casing bending, and be configured to surround another two opposite edges parts of described display panels.

11. liquid crystal displays according to claim 9, wherein said the first guiding elements comprises the first guiding wing and the second guiding wing, described the first guiding wing and described the second guiding wing are formed two ends towards described the second guiding elements bending, and be configured to support another two opposite edges parts of described display panels, and wherein said the second guiding elements comprises the 3rd guiding wing and the 4th guiding wing, described the 3rd guiding wing and described the 4th guiding wing are formed its two ends towards described the first guiding elements bending, and be configured to support another two opposite edges parts of described display panels.

12. liquid crystal displays according to claim 9, this liquid crystal display also comprises the first photo-shield strip and the second photo-shield strip, and described the first photo-shield strip and described the second photo-shield strip are configured to prevent the light leak in two opposite edges parts of described display panels.

13. liquid crystal displays according to claim 12, wherein said the first photo-shield strip contacts with another two opposite edges parts of described display panels and two opposing sidewalls forming surfaces of described lower casing with described the second photo-shield strip.

14. liquid crystal displays according to claim 9, described two opposing sidewalls of wherein said lower casing all have top, and this top is towards interior direction bending and be configured to be firmly fastened to described back light unit.